Everlasting Embrace

by Amanda Ashley

  Sitting at her computer, she looked up vampires on Google, amazed by the number of links that came up. It would take years to sort through them all, she thought, as she clicked on the first one, then scrolled through the information. To her surprise, every country in the world had its own vampire myths and traditions. She closed the link, thinking perhaps Amazon would be more help. But, there again, the number of books on the subject was mind-boggling. She checked the table of contents on one volume—How to Become a Vampire, How to Destroy a Vampire, How to Identify a Vampire, Preternatural Powers, Myths and Legends. More info than she ever wanted to know.

  She paid strict heed to what Rhys had told her. Each night, she walked through the house, making sure all the windows and doors were securely locked, the curtains drawn. Except for the night she’d fallen asleep on the beach, she made sure to be home before nightfall.

  And it was starting to get to her. In the past, she had enjoyed jogging in the evening, doing night shoots, going out to dinner or a movie with her college friend, Connie. But no more. She had seen what lurked in the shadows of the night and it scared the crap out of her.

  With an oath, Rhys crumpled the newspaper and tossed it into the trash can behind the bar. Damn Magdalena! Every night, she left more bodies in her wake. Damn her hide! The last thing he needed was a rogue vampire in his territory. What the hell was she up to? Stories of vampire killings were sure to draw more hunters into his territory, sooner rather than later.

  “Something wrong?” Alex asked, taking his usual seat at the end of the bar.

  “There’s blood on your mouth. Been visiting Jean Marie again?”

  Alex shrugged as he grabbed a napkin and wiped away the telltale stain. “What’s got your tail in a twist?”

  “Magdalena. She’s as careless as Villagrande, leaving bodies everywhere. Before long, the wrong people will notice.”

  “You mean hunters,” Alex said, and felt a wave of remorse for what he’d lost. He had loved hunting, the sense of excitement, the very real fear that each hunt could be his last as he tracked one of the Undead.

  “Exactly. Too bad you’re out of business.”

  Alex nodded in agreement. “I guess you’ll have to be the one to take her down.” He would have loved nothing more than to drive a stake into Magdalena’s black heart. As a hunter, he would have had a good chance of success. As a fledgling vampire, he feared he was sorely outmatched, even though Costain had sired him. Dammit.

  “Believe me, if I could find her, she’d be history. I don’t suppose your old man would give it a shot.”

  “I don’t think so.” After Brandon had been killed and Daisy had been turned, his mother had made his old man promise he would never hunt another vampire. What the hell was he doing here, Alex thought as glanced around the club. He needed to call his parents and let them know what had happened, but he kept putting it off. It wouldn’t be an easy tale to tell, he thought.

  And it wouldn’t be tonight.

  But Fate had other plans. No sooner had he decided to wait a little longer to call his folks than his cell phone rang. With a shake of his head, he made his way to one of the empty rooms and closed the door. “Hi, Daisy, “ he said with as much enthusiasm as he could muster. “What’s up?”

  “I’m not sure. I just had this feeling that I should call you. Is everything all right?”

  “Oh, yeah, just great.”

  There was a long pause. And then she said, “What’s wrong?”

  “What’s wrong?” He shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

  “Alex, you’re scaring me. What’s happened? Are you all right?”

  He huffed a sigh of resignation, then dropped down on the bed and told her, as succinctly as possible, what had happened.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked, when he’d finished.

  “Like hell.”

  “Do you want me to come home?”

  “Why? There’s nothing you can do.”

  “Hey, I was a pretty good hunter in my time. And I still have my compass.”

  Daisy had an enchanted compass with a pointer that turned red when a vampire was in the vicinity. Alex chuckled softly. “Has it occurred to you that since you’re now a vampire, it will always point toward you?”

  “Oh,” she said with a laugh. “I didn’t think of that. Have you told the folks?”

  “Not yet. It isn’t the kind of news I want to give them over the phone.”

  “Aren’t you home?” He heard the frown in her voice.

  “No.”

  “Where are you?”

  “In California. I’m staying with Costain.”

  “Really? Wow, talk about strange bedfellows. How’s that working out?”

  “Not as bad as you might think.”

  “I can tell Mom and Dad, if you’d like.”

  “No. I’ll do it.”

  “All right. If you change your mind, or you need me, just call.”

  “Thanks, Daisy Mae.”

  “I love you,” she said.

  “Love you, too.” Alex stared at his phone as the call ended, wondering how the hell she’d known something was wrong.

  Erik drew Daisy back into his arms when the conversation was over. “How do you think he’s really doing?”

  She shook her head. “I’m not sure. It’s hard to tell, over the phone. It has to be a difficult transition for him. He killed our kind for a living and now he’s one of us.” One of us, she thought. It hadn’t been that long ago since she’d been a mortal woman—the notorious Blood Thief.

  “I can’t imagine Alex and Costain sharing the same space,” Erik muttered. “There was never any love lost between them.”

  “Well, Rhys has no one to blame but himself. He turned Alex. The least he can do is look after him.”

  “True, enough,” Erik murmured. “Now, what can your sire do for you?”

  “Whatever he wants,” Daisy said with a seductive grin. “I’m yours to command.”

  Rhys called the Council together the following night. Alex tagged along, since Costain hadn’t given him any other choice. While Rhys and the others talked about the recent killings and the likelihood of hunters coming to town and what to do about it, Alex studied the vampires.

  Rhys had told him Julius Romano was a California boy who had once been a drug dealer. Of medium height, he had close-set brown eyes and brown hair and looked like he’d been turned in his early twenties. A red-and-black snake tattoo ran the length of his left arm from shoulder to wrist.

  The tall, angular vampire with wispy gray hair and blue eyes was Nicholas. He’d been an old man when he was turned, probably in his mid-seventies. Alex couldn’t help wondering what his story was. In all his years as a hunter, he’d never encountered a vampire turned that late in life.

  The handsome blood-sucker with slicked-back black hair, brown eyes, and a thin mustache was Rupert. The guy looked like that old movie star, Valentino.

  Morris didn’t look anything like a vampire, with his frizzy red hair and freckles, more like an insurance salesman.

  “Hunters don’t worry me,” Romano was saying. “Not after Villagrande.”

  Rupert nodded. “Magdalena is more of a threat, at least as long as O’Donnell is in our territory.”

  “Alex stays,” Rhys said.

  “So, is there any evidence of hunters in town now?” Nicholas asked.

  “Not that I know of, but keep your eyes and ears open. If you hear of anything, let me know.” Costain’s gaze moved over each of them. “I’m assuming it’s Magdalena leaving the bodies in her wake, and not one of you.”

  As though pulled by the same string, Rupert, Nicholas, Morris and Julius all shook their heads vigorously.

  Alex grinned. It was obvious the four of them were more afraid of Costain than Magdalena and the hunters combined. But then, who could blame them? Rhys was old and powerful—and totally ruthless, when necessary.

  “You have anything to say, fledgling?” Costain asked. />
  “Not a thing.”

  “All right, then. Meeting adjourned.”

  Alex was surprised when Rhys lingered after the others had gone. “Something wrong?”

  “I don’t know. I hope not.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Did you notice anything unusual tonight?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like the fact that Rupert never looked at me directly.”

  Alex shrugged. “So?”

  “So, maybe he has something to hide.”

  “Why don’t you just read his mind and find out?”

  “No way to do it without alerting him. If he’s up to something, I don’t want him to know I’m suspicious.”

  “What do you think he’s up to?”

  “I’m not sure. He’s been with me a long time. Might be that he’s thinking it’s time for a coup.”

  Alex snorted. “No way. You could wipe the floor with him and not raise a sweat. Wait a minute! You don’t think he’s in league with Magdalena, do you?”

  “If he is, you’re the one in trouble. She wants you, not me.”

  “You sure about that?”

  Rhys scrubbed a hand across his jaw. “No. No, I’m not sure at all.”

  After leaving the beach house, Alex and Rhys transported themselves to La Mort Rouge. It was late on a Monday night and there were only a handful of people in the place—and most of them were vampires.

  Alex sat at the bar, a glass of blood-laced wine in his hand, his thoughts on Rylee. He wondered how she was getting along, if she ever thought of him. If she missed him as much as he missed her. No matter how often he told himself they were better off apart, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Wanting her. It didn’t matter that he felt guilty for wanting another woman so soon after Paula’s passing, didn’t matter that he knew it was dangerous for Rylee to be with him.

  He wanted her.

  “What’s the matter, cherie?” Babette asked, taking the stool beside him. “You look like you have lost your best friend.”

  “Maybe I have.”

  “Friends, they come and go,” she said with a shrug. “Do you not find me attractive?”

  “It isn’t that.”

  “Ah.” She placed her hand over his heart. “You are pining for someone. Someone special, I think.”

  “Yeah. I guess you could say that.”

  “Come with me,” she coaxed. “I can make you forget her. At least for an hour or two.”

  Alex shook his head. “I’m not in the mood.”

  She brushed her hair away from her neck. “Perhaps you need a drink?”

  His gaze moved to the pulse throbbing in the hollow of her throat. The flowery fragrance of her perfume didn’t mask the tempting scent of her blood, nor did the slow, sensual music coming over the sound system mask the steady beat of her heart.

  She tugged on his hand, winked at him when he stood and followed her into room number six.

  Inside, she closed the door, then perched on the edge of the mattress, a come-hither smile curving her lips.

  Alex stood with his back to the door. She was a pretty thing, with lots of curly black hair and the greenest eyes he’d ever seen. Her gown clung to her like as second skin, outlining every curve. “Why do you do this?” he asked, sitting beside her.

  “Why not?” She shrugged one shoulder. “It is pleasant for me, as well.” She ran her fingertips over his lips, down his chest, to his thigh. “Perhaps, after you drink, you will feel the need for a little exercise.”

  The woman was incorrigible, he thought, as he drew her into his embrace and brushed her hair out of the way. She smelled of honeysuckle and musk.

  And blood. Blood to ease his thirst and satisfy the need roaring through him like a hungry, insatiable lion. He bent his head to her neck and tried not to hurt her as he bit into her tender flesh. Warmth spread through him as he closed his eyes and drank.

  And drank.

  Lost in the euphoria of feeding, he might have taken it all if Rhys hadn’t slammed into the room and pulled him away.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Costain snarled. “Are you trying to kill her?”

  Alex stared at his sire, not comprehending, until he looked at Babette. She lay back on the bed, eyes closed, her lashes like ebony fans against her pale skin. “I…I didn’t mean to,” he stammered.

  Pushing him aside, Rhys took the woman in his arms, bit into his wrist, and held it to her lips. “Drink, darlin’,” he murmured. “Come on now. That’s my girl.”

  “Is she going to be okay?” Alex asked anxiously.

  “No thanks to you.”

  Alex backed out of the room. Horrified by what he’d almost done, he transported himself to Costain’s lair. He could have killed her. The thought played and replayed in his mind.

  Maybe he should have killed her, Alex thought bleakly, because if he took a life, Costain would take his—and that would put an end to his hellish existence.

  It could have been Rylee.

  The thought brought him up short and suddenly, ending his existence seemed like the best thing he could do for everyone concerned.

  Maybe he would save Costain the trouble and go out to meet the sun. It wouldn’t be a pleasant way to go, but it would be quickly over.

  He glanced out the window.

  Only an hour until dawn.

  CHAPTER 16

  Rhys swore under his breath as his fledgling’s thoughts trickled into his mind. Damn fool kid. Maybe telling him to stay away from Rylee hadn’t been the best idea he’d ever had. Alex had been happier when he was seeing the girl.

  Maybe she was the answer. If the kid made sure to feed first, Rylee probably wouldn’t be in much danger.

  After making sure Babette was all right, Rhys sent her home, then transported himself to the penthouse.

  He didn’t give Alex a chance to say anything—simply grabbed him by the neck. “This is the last time I’m giving you a choice,” he growled. “Life or death? It’s up to you.”

  Alex struggled to free himself, but it was impossible. The hand at his throat was like iron, strong and unyielding.

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I know you’re feeling guilty for what almost happened tonight, but it happens to all of us when we’re new. Hell, it’s partly my fault,” Rhys allowed, releasing his hold. “I should have made sure you fed before we left for the meeting.”

  Alex rubbed a hand over his throat, thinking it was a good thing he didn’t have to breathe. But people tended to look at you funny if you didn’t.

  “I’ve been thinking,” Rhys went on. “I might have been wrong in telling you to stay away from Rylee.”

  Alex shook his head. “No. You were right. It could have been her tonight. If I’d hurt her…” He shook his head again. “I couldn’t live with that.”

  “Listen to me. You were happy—well, happier—when you were spending time with her. I think maybe she’s good for you. She makes you feel more human, for want of a better word. I think if you make sure to feed before you see her, you’ll both be all right.”

  “You think?”

  “If I’m wrong, I’ll be there to stop you before you do anything that can’t be undone.”

  Alex dropped into the nearest chair. Just the thought of seeing Rylee again made the world—and his future—suddenly seem brighter. And then his shoulders sagged. She knew what he was now and she was understandably afraid of him. He was probably the last person on earth she wanted to spend time with.

  Rhys shrugged. “You won’t know until you ask.”

  “Get out of my head,” Alex muttered, but there was no heat in his words. If Costain wasn’t constantly eavesdropping on his thoughts, Babette would have died tonight. “I’m gonna turn in. I’ll think about what you said.”

  Rhys sank into the chair Alex had vacated. Bringing the kid across might have been a mistake, he mused, but only time would tell. In the meantime, maybe the love of a good woman would give his fledglin
g some peace of mind.

  He grinned into the darkness. The love of a good woman had certainly had a positive effect on him, Rhys thought, as he reached for his phone and called his wife.

  Rylee froze in the act of folding a load of laundry when someone knocked at the door. She told herself she needed to relax. It had been almost two weeks since she’d seen Alex. He hadn’t called, hadn’t tried to see her. And in all that time, nothing unusual or scary had happened—if you called it normal for a grown woman to lock herself in her house every night as soon as the sun went down.

  When the knock came again, she made her way to the door and called, “Who is it?”

  “It’s me. Alex.”

  Alex! Her heart did a little leap of joy at the sound of his voice. And then she frowned. What was he doing here? He had assured her that she would never see him again.

  Hoping Costain had been right when he said vampires couldn’t enter a dwelling uninvited, she opened the door. “I’m surprised to see you,” she said, folding her arms over her chest. “Is something wrong?”

  “Everything. I know it might be hard for you to believe, but my life’s no good without you. I’m asking you, begging you, to find it in your heart to spend a little time with me.”

  “I thought you said it was dangerous.”

  “It is. I know that. And yet being with you…I don’t know how to explain it, Rylee, but it makes me feel human again, more in control. Costain thinks being with you might be good for me.”

  “Is that why you’re here? Because he told you to come?”

  “No! No. I’ve missed you every single night. You have no idea how much.” He drank in the sight of her. She was even lovelier than he remembered. “I’m not asking for a lifetime commitment. Just let me come by once in a while and…and see you. Talk for a few minutes.”

  “I’ve missed you, too,” she admitted. “Why did you run away the other night?”

  “I hadn’t…fed yet. And you were so close…I was afraid of losing control.”